Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-06


Kuro-Shiwo, or Japanese current ~
IL but natural 10 suppose that some OF
them must have been stranded on the
Aleutian islands in the distant past, and
that their crews formed the nucleus OF
what is now considered a separate ma
ton. II is well-known tact that the
natives of the islands of Attou aud
Atkha, of the Aleutian group, have been
enabled 10 converse with shipwrecked
men from Japanese vessels strand
ed on these islands even Mt q
recent date. When white men nrst
visited the Aleutian islands the natives
were found living in small settlements
scattered along from Alton to kodlac
Their habitations we're primitive affairs,
built psrty underground, with walls
and roof made of drift wood, and the
whole structure covered with thick SOD.
Usually there was but one entrance to
the abode, and that was so small that
it was necessary to stoop low to reach
the interior. A square space was lett
in the centre of the house, where the
fire WAS placed, and the smoke found
exit through hole in the roof over
head. At first the Aleuts lived in a
communistics manner under one root.
but later, with the advent of whites and
the beginning of the fur-trade, ideas OF
individual property were acquired, and
the large houses were gradually np-
planted by the smaller ones, occupied
by single families, which can he seen
to-day.
As long as the Russians had control
of the island but little change for the
better was made in the condition of the
Aleut. Indeed, the Russian hunters
employed by the different trading COM
panies to gather furs seemed a great
deal better pleased to sink into the de-
grading customsof the ignorant savages
than to try and elevate them by force
of example. With the purchase of the
Aleutian islands as n portion of Alaska
by the United States, day began to
dawn for those poor benightcd beings;
and, Notwithstanding the fact that
scarcely a decade has passed since that
event took place, a change has been
wrought in their condition which seems
absolutely marvellous.
Wherever the tradmg-posts of the
American companies have been estab-
lished the native houses have been re-
placed in a great measure by neat frame
dwellings,. In some places the Aleut
still clings to the old style of habitation,
but the addition of windows, chimneys,
and even stoves has done much toward
making them habitable. At Oonalssks,
Belkopski, st. Paul, and st. George,
where are the principal stations of the
Alaska Commercial Company, the ma
tive Aleuts have almost entirely changed
from a savage to civilized mode of
living.
The principal food of the natives is
salmon and Goldfish, which abound at
most of the settlements along the
Aleutian chain. For animal food such
as beef, pork, mutton, etc, they have
no relish, but nothing is considered SO
great treat as a good square meal Of
whale meat. The air of greasy con
tentment which peryades IN Alentian
village week or so after the capture
Of whale leaves no room for dOubt
that whale as an article of diet is high
ly appreciated. On account of the
elastic nature Of that portion Of the
whale which is used as food its con-
sumption is not accomplished except
after diligent and noisy attention 10 the
matter in hand. say Gin hand adj
visedy; perhaps it would be better to
say in both hands.
From the company's stores the ma
tives obtain flour, ten, sugar, butter,
hard bread, and quantities Of small
sweet crackers They are inordinately
fond of tea, and the samOvar, q huge
brass boiler, is kept simmering day
and night No intoxicating liquors are
allowed either on the Aleutian islands
or anywhere else in Alaska. The na-
tives, however, brew a villainous decoc-
ton called grass, with the aid Of sour
dough and sugar. In order to check
this evil the amount Of -four and sugar
which native may purchase at time
is limited Notwithstanding this pre-
caution the small supply is carefully
husbanded until sufficient has been
obtained to make the much-priZed
beverage. AS no still is required, and
graSs can he manufactured in any re-
ceptacle from tin cup to barrel, it
is hard, il not utterly impossible, to
entirely prevent its use.
The Aleut is social in his tendencies,
and, like his protytype, the japanese,
he is exceedingly polite. However
poor his home may be, it is always
thrown open to strangers, and the best
he has is at their service. In the most
miserable hut ! ever entered away out
ON one of the distant islands, a poor, de-
crepit old man got up from box, which
constituted the only seat in the room,
and, with low bow, offered it to me,
The influence of the Russian Church,
of which all the Aleuts are members,
has done much toward correcting the
abuses and bad example of the early
trading companies. Its management is
intrusted TO priests Of Aleutiau extrac-
ton. under the direct supervision of a
Russian arch-priest, whose residence is
at San Francisco. No other form OF re-
ligious belief would suit these people 50
well as this. They are devoted to the
Church, and | firmly believe that its
influence is good. If the service
could be conducted in the English
instead Of the Russian language it
would be much better, as by that means
tine Aleut would be compelled TO learn
English, which at present he does not
understand, nor is he likely TO except
at such settlements as st. Paul and ST.
George. Some of the better class Of
Aleuts and CreOles (members of priests
families) have visited San Francisco,
and met two young ladies' who had
been educated in that city, but az a
rule they decline to converse in any
thing but the Russian tongue.